Ah, Thanksgiving. I love the planning, the cooking, the gathering, and, of course, the leftovers! I pretty much hunker down for the long weekend subsisting on all the goodies in the refrigerator. You might even catch me in my pajamas for the entire time. I definitely do not step outside the house – not even for Black Friday madness. Why do I want to subject myself to that sort of mayhem in person when I can do it online? And cooking? Let’s just say that the only appliance in heavy use is the microwave oven. But, admittedly, platefuls of the same can get tiresome.
When the weather gets cooler, I make risotto quite often. It is a highly adaptable dish as long as you have the basic elements covered:
1) A flavorful broth or stock.
2) Medium-grained rice, like arborio. Long grain rice does not have enough starch to attain that risotto creaminess, a desired characteristic. Short grain rice is a little too glutinous so will give you a more gluey consistency.
3) Aromatics. Your onions, carrots, shallots, herbs, etc. These should be sautéed and cooked before you start cooking the rice. It adds another layer of flavor to the risotto.
Once you have that, you can stir in whatever you like towards the end when the risotto is pretty much done or al dente. A couple of pats of butter and Parmesan cheese is de rigeur. If I’m feeling really extravagant, I’ll add a few drops of truffle oil. This recipe is a great way to use some of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And if you have leftover risotto, you can always make arancini de riso!
Turkey and Caramelized Onion Risotto #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 7-8 cups chicken broth
- Olive oil
- 2 medium sweet onions thinly sliced
- 1 large shallot thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 1/2 cup arborio rice
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked turkey chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the sliced onions until they are browned and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan and over medium-high heat, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Bring heat to low and keep warm.
- Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the shallot until softened and translucent. Add a pinch of salt and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper. Add the rice and stir until rice is coated with oil and turns translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the white wine and stir until all the liquid has been absorbed. Lower heat to medium to medium-low to keep the rice at a low simmer, never to a boil.
- Add about a ladleful or 1/2 cup of the chicken broth. Stir until liquid is mostly absorbed. Repeat until the rice is al dente (firm, but not crunchy) and has reached a creamy (not sticky or gluey) consistency, about 35-40 minutes. Don't fret if you have leftover broth.
- Take the rice off the heat. Stir in the caramelized onions, chopped turkey, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Serve right away.
Sunday Supper is sharing inspiring recipes using Thanksgiving leftovers! This is always a post-holiday challenge and I hope these recipes give you some great ideas. Thank you to our Jennie of The Messy Baker Blog for hosting this event! Here is the lineup of great recipes by our Sunday Supper crew.
Breakfast:
Cranberry Sauce Muffins by The Foodie Army Wife
Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Strata by Ruffles & Truffles
Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins by Magnolia Days
Turkey & Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Brunch with Joy
Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet
Cranberry Sauce’d Corn Bread Muffins by Rhubarb and Honey
Main Dish:
Leftover Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Thanksgiving Leftover Waffles by Foxes Love Lemons
Stuffing Hash by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Turkey Pizza by Meal Diva
Turkey & Caramelized Onion Risotto by kimchi MOM
Turkey with Creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce by Casa de Crews
Moroccan Turkey Stew by What Smells So Good?
Peruvian Cilantro & Turkey Soup by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Turkey & Butternut Squash Stew by Cooking Chat
Turkey Kreplach Soup by Panning the Globe
Turkey & Stuffing Crepes by Peaceful Cooking
Cranberry Apple Pecan Chicken Salad by NeighborFood
Herbed Turkey over Cornbread Waffles with Cranberry Sauce by girlichef
Creamy Peanut Gochujang Pasta by Wallflour Girl
Cranberry Sweet Potato Soup by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Turkey Enchilada Pasta Bake by Curious Cuisiniere
Turkey Orzo Risotto by Family Foodie
Turkey Croquettes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Side Dishes:
Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes by Noshing with the Nolands
Whipped Carrots with Sriracha Butter by Healthy Delicious
Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
Cheesy Jalapeño Potato Cakes by Bobbi’s Cozy Kitchen
Sandwiches:
Cranberry & Turkey Sandwich by The Redhead Baker
Monte Cristo Sandwich by Nik Snacks
Hot Brown Turkey Sandwiches by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Sprouted Grain Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini by Amee’s Savory Dish
Turkey Cranberry Flatbread by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Condiments & Sauces:
Cranberry Vinaigrette by Nosh My Way
Leftover White Wine Syrup by Food Lust People Love
DIY Yellow Mustard by The Texan New Yorker
Dessert:
Banana Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust by Desserts Required
Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Gluten-Free Lemon Cake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Spiced Cranberry Sauce Buckle by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Cocktails & Drinks:
Cranberry Orange Crush by The Messy Baker
Cranberry Bellini by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
I love risotto. You can take leftover anything and pop it in risotto and it’s all new again.
I make risotto pretty often just for that fact!
Amy, I’ll join you in pajamas party. That’s my ideal long weekend 🙂 And this risotto completes my day with Thanksgiving leftovers. I bet the caramelized onion does its magic to this dish, too. Yum-o!
Truthfully, I do not pack much when Thanksgiving is at my parent’s place. It’s one lazy weekend!
Amy, I’m so with you about staying in PJ’s and hunkering down. Shopping on Black Friday is about the worst thing I can imagine, when I could be cosy and noshing on Thanksgiving leftovers with my family! I love the risotto recipe!! I definitely want to make it – my family will be adore it. Thanks so much! ~ Lisa
Thanks Lisa! Nothing better than eating good food and being with family!
This risotto is absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks Jennie and thanks for hosting!
Amy!! This risotto is stunning!!! looks so good!! Wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!! It’s Thursday!!! AHHHHHHH!!!
Thanks Alice! I’m not cooking this year so not as stressed as usual! 😉 Hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Now THAT is how you prepare leftovers!
Thanks Conni! 🙂
Black Friday shopping online- totally the way to go! I’ll be sure to make myself a yummy bowl of your yummy risotto to enjoy as I surf the net for gift deals!
Shopping and eating…what could be better? 🙂
I am just starting to get into risotto, this one would take me a long way. Love it!!
Risotto is the best!
I keep adding bags of arborio rice to my pantry but never get around to making risotto. Your gorgeous version with turkey and onions has inspired me to make a big batch!
It’s so worth it! I hope you give it a try!
Risotto might be my all time favorite dish. Love that you used caramelized onions — another one of my favorites!
This one is pretty good, but my favorite risotto is one with butternut squash and sage!
This is so perfect! Love risotto, and it’s perfect for tossing in whatever you have leftover!
Exactly! 🙂 It’s one way to get my kids to eat veggies!
Love this recipe. And I agree…best to stay inside in pajamas in the days after Thanksgiving. No time for shopping when there are leftovers to eat!
Thanks Liz! And yes, Thanksgiving is one lazy weekend for me!
I love your analysis of the different types of rice and why arborio is the best kind to use. I love this recipe and the caramelized onions is the Pièce de résistance
Thanks Marlene! And yes, the caramelized onions totally elevates this dish!
Haha yep, I have the same weekend-after-Thanksgiving philosophies as you. But I could certainly be convinced to pad out to the kitchen in my pajamas and slippers to try this risotto. Because making risotto is one of my favorite activities of all time!
Yes, there’s something therapeutic about making risotto. All that stirring and test of patience! 🙂
Yum yum yummmmm! Perfect 🙂
Thanks Bobbi!
You had me at caramelized onions! Love!
Thanks Amee!
I have a bunch of leftover chicken that is I’m going to use up tonight this way! I just have to brave ShopRite to get the arborio…
Does FreshDirect make deliveries to your area? Kinda great for staples when you want to save some time.
I love risotto! What a great idea to use leftovers for it. Also, I do love staying in, and enjoying the leftovers, too. 🙂
WHAT. This is wonderful! I get excited about most Sunday Supper recipes but I looove me a good risotto–especially with caramelized anything. This is so bomb. I’m saving this for any occasion and sharing it ASAP!
Thanks Ala!
LOVE me a good risotto. This one looks oh so tasty.
You had me at caramelized onions!! Love it
I love risotto! Great reinvention for turkey leftovers!
I have to work the day after Thanksgiving and the hubs works both days. So…that’s what I’ll be doing! I’d rather we both be home snuggling with a bowl of this risotto!
Oh I would LOVE this! Anything with caramelized onions and I will sign up!
I was drooling the entire time I was reading this post, Ames. I want to spend a weekend in my pjs just eating delicious leftovers and then making a kick ass risotto! That sounds like heaven.
Thanks! I hope all is well with you!